dog refuses new dog house

[salemgirl1999]

My dad recently purchased a new dog house for his 7 year old border collie. She will not go in it at all. The new one is plastic and her other one was wooden, so dad built another house for her out of wood and shingles. She doesn't like that one either. Her old house is worn out and not suitable for her any more. Dad put some of his old shirts and shavings in both houses to make them more 'homey', and nothing. Yesterday she sat all day in the rain refusing both houses. It is starting to get cold in NC and we don't know what to do. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[lmmd]

Can the dog have the comfort of your house rather than leave it in the rain? Sounds like torture. Then start feeding the dog in the new house. This just might get the idea as not so horrible.

[salemgirl1999]

She has never been an indoor dog. (Plus, there is a cat indoors who is not allowed outside, and probably wouldn't like having a dog for a roommate). My dad has tried putting her food in the house and she eats then immediately gets out. (Also, the house is in a large inclosed fence, under trees. And she is played with once if not twice daily allowed to run and get energy out. I didn't want anyone to think she is being treated inhumanely or neglected.)

[Marty]

Since your Dad seems to be handy (having built a new house), I wonder if he could take some boards from the old house and reuse them in the new one....maybe a floor or baseboard, or something. Dogs have a keen sense of smell, and maybe he misses what is familiar.